The word casting means shaping the materials. The factory where the metals are casted
is called Foundry. The metals like grey iron, steel, non ferrous and malleable are
melted, moulded and cooled to get the shape. Metal alloys, machinery, machinery
equipments and tools, metal treatments, metal pipes, metal additions like metal
nuggets, air plane’s turbine blades, axles etc are few of the products of foundry.
India is sharing around 9.05% of the casting production of the world. The growth
of the production of the country has been increasing rapidly pointing around 22%
of growth per year. Even exporting trends are also showing increased number of figures
during the decade and expecting more in the coming decades. The number of foundries
are also been increasing rapidly providing number of opportunities. It is true that
lack of skilled personnel is one of the major constraints of the sector.
Courses offered related to the field:
Diploma, Bachelor and Master degrees in technology are the major courses of the
stream. For Diploma and Bachelor degrees, the academic eligibility criterion is
passing in 10 + 2. The Bachelor degree is the eligibility for the Master Degree.
The higher studies, Ph.D. in the stream, can be pursued after the Master Degree.
For all these courses, the admission process includes the entrance exam.
Career aspect:
The major recruiting sectors of the field are automotive factories, auto component
manufacturer industries, metal equipment related factories, construction equipment
production companies and other foundries.
The chief job titles of the field are:
- Metallurgist
- Sales engineer
- Foundry manager/supervisor
- Induction melter
- Convertor operator
- Quality control supervisor
- Production Engineer/ Manager
- Technician
- Plant head
- Pattern maker
- Draughtsman
- Solid modeler
Apart from the offered job, one can have the own entrepreneur or factory. The major
consumers of the castings are auto, agricultural, sanitary, earthmoving, pump and
compressors, valves, diesel engines, electrical equipment, machine tools, industrial
m/c, pipes and fittings, railways and power.
Teaching in the related colleges is also good option. Master Degree and Ph.D. holders
are often appointed as lecturers or Professors in the colleges.
Job responsibilities:
The core job roles of the engineer are:
- To oversee the foundry operations
- Be responsible for the clients coordination
- Ensuring appropriate product manufacturing process
- Record management
- Personnel management
- Inspection of Die pre loading etc.
Pay Package:
The initial pay to a fresh graduate is expected around Rs. 20,000 per month. The
experienced is offered more.
Pros and cons of the field:
Pros:
- High demand for the professionals
- Good payment packages
- Good scope of growth in the career
Cons:
- Much care must be taken on health grounds as the left outs of the factories are
highly poisonous.
- Most of the factories are very far from the major cities.
- Self employment is an expensive issue
Thus, the one who selects this different field never need to regret as there is
a good scope of growth in the career.